Dodgers: The End of Season Awards have Finally Arrived

Justin Turner

After taking Kendall Graveman’s fastball off of his left wrist, just ten days prior to MLB’s Opening Day, Justin Turner indeed suffered a fracture in lieu of the most optimistic expectancy of a bone-bruise or a deep contusion.

No one, not the Dodgers’ front office, the fans, nor the players, wanted to hear those dreaded words: “broken wrist.”

For any or all baseball players and especially hitters, a broken wrist is one of the worst injuries, short of a season-ender, a player can sustain.

Even after the fracture healed, Turner and Co. had to simply wait out the time it would take for Turner’s pain to alleviate. And no one knew when that would be.

Fast-forward to May 15th, nearly three months after getting nailed by Graveman, Justin Turner made his long-awaited return to the Dodgers’ lineup. Almost immediately, Turner’s presence was felt.

The term “presence,” in sports, can often fall into cliché. In Justin Turner’s case, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though JT himself, would admit that his performance at the beginning of his return from the fractured wrist wasn’t near-par for the course, no one can argue that having his presence in the (near) everyday lineup, at third base, in the clubhouse, around the guys, pre-game batting practice, whatever, doesn’t help the Los Angeles Dodgers immensely.

The guy brings a number of intangibles not usually seen in professional sports.

With a work ethic that rivals anyone throughout baseball, Turner never stops working on a comprehensive list of his game.

Whether it’s watching video of his swing, making sure that the strike-zone is to his liking in between at-bats, or countless hours of BP, I personally, have never seen a player work harder and focus so intently upon even the tiniest nuisances of his game.

The best part is that these virtues are contagious.

When a leader leads the team in work ethic and “through example,” he immediately raises the expectation for everyone around him. How could a veteran the likes of Justin Turner outwork the new rookie?

You don’t want to be that guy. This is exactly why Justin Turner is the Dodgers’ Most Valuable Player. He makes those around him better while consistently performing at the highest level.